Time delay switching means



March 1, 1949. H. SCHIROKAUER NOW BY CHANGE OF NAME v H. A. SHERWOODTIME DELAY SWITCHING MEANS mm on. 4. 1945 Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE TIME DELAY SWITCHING MEANS Henry Schlrokauer, NewYork, N. Y., now by change of name Henry Allan Sherwood, assignor toWaldes Koh-I-Noor, Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork Application October 4, 1945, Serial No. 620,218

15 Claims. (Cl. 175-320) The present invention relates to automatictime-delay electrical controlling devices by means of which a sequenceof operations may be accomplished for controlling power-consumingcircuits in various ways.

One object of the invention is the provision of a novel time-delaydevice wherein plural switches are operated automatically inpredetermined sequence and at predetermined times after operation of thedevice is initiated.

A second object is the provision of a novel operating assembly ofmechanical and electrical devices for accomplishing time-delayedoperation of a circuit.

Another object is the provision of a novel timedelay controlling devicecooperating with a conditionally operated circuit for provisionallyenergizing a controlling circuit, maintaining such energization for apredetermined period of time, and thereafter continuing or discontinuingsuch energization in accordance with the functioning or nonfunctioningof the conditionally operated circuit.

Still another object is the provision of a timedelay and time-controlleddevice arranged to provide various types of energization for pluralcircuits having different purposes.

The accompanying drawing is a schematic circuit diagram of a devicearranged in accordance with the invention.

In the drawing, a relay, designated l, comprises an armature 2 and awinding 3, one end terminal 4 of which is arranged for connection to oneside 5 of a power source 6 through a pair of main contacts I. Thecontacts 1 are so operated by the armature 2 as to be closed when thewinding 3 is energized and opened when it is deenergized. Initialenergization of the relay winding to close contacts I may beaccomplished by momentarily closing the impulse switch 8. The effect ofthe closing of the switch 8 is to momentarily bridge the main contactsI, connecting the end 4 of the relay winding to the side of the powersource. When the end 4 of the relay winding has been connected to thepower source, either through contacts I or switch 8, control of theenergiza tion of the relay is accomplished by a relay circuit thatincludes the winding 3 and parallel connections with the other side l0or ground of the power source 6. These parallel connections are madethrough the stationary contacts II and I la and the single movablecontacts I2 and 12a of two single pole double throw switches l3 and H,the movable contacts I: and l2a being connected through ground to theside In of the power source 'so that upon closing of the contacts ofeither switch l3 or ll the relay circuit is complete. The secondstationary contacts l5 and I50, of the switches l3 and I4 respectivelyare connected to terminals f6 and I1, so that application of the voltageof the side In of the power source to such terminals depends on thepositions of the movable contacts l2 and 12a of the respective switches.

A thermally actuated time-delay operator comprises a bimetallic elementI8 and a trans ersely and adjustably mounted member l9 that is movedaxially in opposite directions as the element is heated or cooled. Whenthe member I9 is moved by the cooling of the bimetallic element Hi (tothe left as seen in the drawing), it moves the contact I2 of the switchl3 into closedrelation to the stationary contact f5, which is connectedto the terminal It, the same movement of the member I9 accomplishingopening of the contacts H and ii of the switch l3. When the member I9 ismovedin the opposite direction by heating of the bimetallic element l8,it permits contact (2 of the switch l3, under the influence of a biasingspring 20, to close with the contact H and break with the contact l5, sothat the relay circuit is closed through the switch I3.

In its movement by the heating of the bimetallic element l8, the memberl9 also contacts and moves a switch-operating element 2|. This element2| is unbiased and is movable in the one direction only by the member f9upon heating of the bimetallic element [8, being left in the position towhich it has been so moved when the member i9 is moved in the returndirection. The operating element 2| is so positioned relative to thearmature 2 as to be moved in the return direction only by the armatureupon deenergization of the relay l. The movable contact in of the relaycircuit switch M is mechanically connected to the switch-operatingelement 2|, so that upon movement of the element by the member l9 uponheating of the bimetallic element is the movable contact l2a of theswitch is closed with the stationary contact |5a while upon returnmovement of the element 2| by the armature the contact l2a is closedwith the contact Ila, completing -the relay circuit through the switchside ll) of the power source, the other end being connected to onestationary contact 23 of a since contacts 23 and 25 3 single pole doublethrow switch 24, the movable contact 25 of which is connected to thatmain contact I which is moved by the armature 2 of the relay. The otherstationary contact 26 of the switch 24 is connected to a terminal 21, sothat application of the voltage of the movable main contact 1 to theterminal 21 depends on the po sition of the movable contact 25 of theswitch 24, and application of that voltage to the terminal alternateswith its application to the heater coil. The movable contact 25 of theswitch 24 is mechanically connected to the switch-operating element 2I,so that upon movement of the element by the thermally actuated operatorupon heating of the coil 22, the contact 25 is moved away from thecontact 23, breaking the heater circuit and applying voltage to theterminal 21, while upon return movement of the member 2i contacts 26 and25 are broken and the heater circuit closed through contacts 25 and 23.

Each of the'switches I3, I4 and 24 is provided with a snap acting device28, switches I4 and 24 being unbiased so that their operation dependsentirely upon movement of the operating element 2| by the thermallyactuated operator upon heating or by the armature upon deenergization ofthe relay.

It will be seen from the above that the complete circuit in effectcomprises two'parallel branches, one of which is the relay circuit andthe other the heater circuit, in series with the main contacts 1 and thepower source 6.

Operation is as follows. With the circuit in non-operating, completelydeenergized condition, as shown in the drawing, an impulse is deliveredfrom a suitable source by momentarily closing the switch 8 andconsequently momentarily energizing the relay I. At this time the relaycircuit is complete, being closed through contacts I2a and Ila of theswitch I4, contacts I I and I2 of the switch I3 being open. Thiscondition of the switches I3 and I4 is due to the heater'clrcuit beingdeenergized, the bi-metallic element cold, and the member I9 and element2| being in their left hand positions. The momentary closing of theswitch 8 and the consequent energization of the relay closes the maincontacts 1, establishing a holding circuit for the relay through theswitch I4. At the same time, of switch 24 are closed, the heater circuitbecomes energized through the main contacts 1, heating the bimetallicelement I8. As the element I8 is heated, the member I3 moves to theright, closing contacts II and I2 of switch I3 to complete therelayholding circuit through that switch. Thereafter, the member I9 beinsuitably adjusted relative to the element 2i and the movable contact I2of switch I3, the element 2I is shifted to the right, opening contacts23 and 25 of the switch 24 to open the heater circuit, and openingcontacts Ila and I2a of the relay circuit switch I4. The element I8 thencools, opening contacts II and I2 of switch I3, but leaving theswitch-opcrating element 2I in its right hand position, so that therelay circuit contacts Na and I2a of switch I4 remain broken, as do theheater circuit contacts 23 and 25 of switch 24..; Upon opening of therelay circuit contacts II and I2 of switch- I3 by the leftward movementof the member I9, both relay circuit paths are broken and the relaycircuit, and the winding 3 of the relaybecome deenergized, releasing thearmature 2. Upon such release, the armature, under the influence of aspring 29, moves to the left, moving the switch-operating element 2I andthe movable contacts of switches 24 and I4 to their original positions.This movement of the armature 2 also opens the main contacts 1, so thatthe circuit remains in its non-operating condltion until another cycleis initiated.

The device may be used to operated one powerconsuming deviceconditionally upon operation of another device. To this end a terminal30 is connected to the movable main contact I, so that a power-consumingdevice, illustratively shown to be a motor M may be energized therefrom,upon closing of the main contacts 1. A circuit, may be attached to thecontact 32 to bridge out the switches I3 and I4 of the relay circuit andconnect the relay winding 3 with 'the source of supply, and this circuitattached to the contact 32 may be conditionally controlled by theoperation of some device that it may be desirable or necessary to havein operation during consumption of power by the device fed from thecontact 30, but for commencement of operation may require a certainperiod of time. To illustrate the aforesaid arrangement, the motor Menergized from terminal 30 drives a pump P, the pump supplying fluidpressure to a line L. Connected in said line is a conditionally operateddevice CD responding to the pressure in the line L reaching apredetermined value, consequent to the proper functioning of motor M andits circuit, pump P and line L., The conditionally operated deviceactuates a controlling switch CS in the circuit connected to the contact32. It will be understood that the circuit connected to 32 may becontrolled by numerous other devices responding to the functioning ornon-functioning of the power consuming device or other devices put intooperation thereby, for example, by an electromagnetic device, a cam, ora thermal or float operator, all as well known in the art.

In this type of control the time-delay circuit operates exactly asdescribed above, power being delivered through the contact upon closingof the main contacts I, and such delivery being continued during a cycleof operation of the device. If during this period the conditionallyoperated circuit on contact 32 is closed, the breaking of the relaycircuit by the switch i3 will not deenergize the relay I, due to theholding eflect of the circuit on contact 32, but if that circuit fallsto close during the controlling cycle the relay I will be deenergized asdescribed, interrupting power supply to the device on contact 30 byopening of the main contacts I. In either case the control circuit willcomplete its cycle and return to ready condition in which it isillustrated in the drawing.

Other types of circuit control can be effected through terminal pairsI6, 21 and I1, 21. Between terminals I8 and 21 a circuit is closedthrough contacts I2 and I5 as long as I and 25 and 26 remain closed. Aninterruption of energization is obtained during repeated cycles ofoperation of the thermalcontrolling device I9 opening and closing at I5.

A time-controlled delayed action circuit may be connected betweencontacts I1 and 21. After sufllcient time to actuate the thermal elementI8 thercontacts I5a and 25 will be closed allowing current to flowthrough switches 1 and 26 to 21 and returning from I1 through I5a toground.

An emergency switch 36 may be provided to connect the contact 30directly to the source of energy and overrule the control by the timelimit relay whenever such action may become necessary-or desirable.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the control device hereindisclosed presents great convenience in providing a wide variety ofcontrolling operations by means of which various types of circuit can beoperated according to the purpose oi the circuit.

I claim: 4

1. A time-delay electricai controlling device comprising a relay havlngawinding and an armature, a thermally actuated operator, a switch--operating element movable in one direction only by the thermallyactuated operator upon being heated and in the opposite direction onlyby the armature upon deenergization of the relay, a heater circuitincluding a heating element for the thermally actuated operator andaswitch mechanically connected to the switch-operating element forclosing and opening respectively upon movement of said element by thearmature and operator, a relay circuit including the winding of therelay and two switches arranged in parallel and in series with thewinding for completing'the circuit. upon closing of either, one of thesaid I parallel switches being mechanically connected with the thermallyactuated operator for closing and opening respectively as the operatoris heated and cooled, the other parallel switch being mechanicallyconnected with the switch-operating element for opening when saidelement is moved by the thermally actuated operator and closing when itis moved by the armature, and contacts closed and opened by the armaturewhen the relay is energized and deenergized for connecting the heaterand relay circuits with a source of power.

2. A time-delay electrical control device comprising a relay having anarmature and a winding, a relay circuit including the winding of therelay and parallel switches connected in series with the winding forcompleting the circuit upon closing of either, a heater circuitconnected in parallel to the relay circuit and including a heatingelement and a switch, a pair of contacts arranged for operation by thearmature upon energization of the relay for connecting the heater andrelay circuits with a source of power, a thermally actuated time-delayoperator arranged for heating by the heating element and mechanicallyconnected to one of the parallel switches of the relay circuit forclosing said switch when heated and opening it when cooled, and ashiftable switchoperating element movable in one direction only by thethermally actuated operator and means for moving it in the oppositedirection only by the armature, said element being mechanicallyconnected with the second parallel switch of the relay circuit and theswitch of the heater circuit for opening said switches thermallyactuated operator and closing them when.moved by the armature.

3. An electrical control device for energizing a circuit for apredetermined period of time to permit operation of a conditionallyactuated switch to maintain the circuit energized; said devicecomprising two parallel circuits, one of said circuits including inseries the winding of a relay having the armature and two parallelbranches one of which includes the conditionally actuated switch and thesecond including two parallel switches arranged to close that branchupon closing of either, the second parallel circuit includinga heatingelement and a switch, said device also comprising a thermally actuatedtimedelay operator heated by the heating element when moved by the (mand mechanically connected with one of the parallel switches of thesecond branch of the ilrst circuit for opening it when cooled andclosing it when heated, a switch-operating element mechanicallyconnected with the second parallel switch of said branch and with theswitch of the second circuit and movable in opposite directions forrespectively opening and closing said switches. said element beingoperatively associated with the thermally actuated operator for movementthereby only in the direction to open the switches when the operator isheated, and also being operatively associated with the armature of therelay ior movement thereby only in the direction to close the switcheswhen the relay is deenergized, a pair of main contacts in series withthe two parallel circuits and arranged to be closed and opened by thearmature upon energization and deenergization of the relay to connectsaid circuits with a source of power and maintain the relay windingenergized so long as either branch of the first parallel circuit isclosed, and an initiating switch parallel to the main contacts forinitiating operation of the device by energizing the relay to close themain contacts.

4. An electrical device for timed control of plural circuits connectedto a power supply comprising a relay having an armature and a winding, atime-delay thermally actuated operator, a

switch-operating element movable in one direction only by the thermallyactuated operator when heated and means for moving it in the oppositedirection only by the armature when the relay is deenergized, a relaycircuit including the relay winding and parallel controlling means eachcomprising one stationarycontact of a single pole double throw switchhaving its movable contact connected to one side of the power supply, aheater circuit including a heating element thermally associated with thethermally actuated operator and controlling means comprisingonestationary contact of a single pole double throw switch having itsmovable contact connected to the opposite side of said power supply,terminals respectively connected to the second stationary contacts ofthe three said double throw switches, the movable contacts of the heatercircuit switch and one of the relay circuit switches being mechanicallyconnected to the switch-operating element for opening the circuitcontacts and closing the terminal-contacts when the element is moved bythe thermally actuated operator and opening the terminal-connectedcontacts and closing the circuit contacts when said element is moved bythe armature, a pair of main contacts in series with the said circuitsfor connecting them in parallel with the power supply and operable bythe armature for closing when the relay is energized and opening when itis deenergized, switching means for bridging the main contacts andthereby initiating operation of the device, and a terminal connectedbetween the main contacts and the relay winding for deenergization andenergization simultaneously with the winding.

5. An electrical circuit controlling device including a normally openmain switch, a relay for closing said switch having an armature and awinding, a time-delay operating device for opening said main switch apredetermined time period following initiation of its operation, a relaycircuit including the relay winding and parallel switches in series withthe winding, the first switch being normally closed and arranged to beopened by said device only after the elapse of and the actuating-circuitenergized by energization said time period and the second switch beingnormally open and arranged to be closed by said device only after theelapse of said time period and the second switch being normally open andarranged to be closed by said device substantially with opening of saidfirst switch, means for energizing said relay circuit, a circuit foreiiecting actuation of the time-delay operating device including anormally closed control switch arranged to be opened substantially withopening of the first switch, and means controlled by the relay ondeenergization of the relay circuit for closing the actuating circuitcontrol switch and the first switch of the relay circuit.

6. A controlling device according to claim 5, wherein the parallelswitches of the relay circuit control switch are each a single poledouble throw switch, the actuatingcircuit control switch having itsmovable contact connected to one side of a power source, its onestationary contact connected to the control circuit and its otherterminal, the parallel switches having their movable contacts connectedto the other side of the power source and each having one stationarycontact connected to the relay circuit and the other to a secondterminal.

7. A controlling device according to claim wherein the main the armatureupon energization and deenergization of the relay, and is operative whenclosed to connect the relay and actuating circuits in parallel with apower source, cuit thereupon serving as a holding circuit for the relay,and wherein the means for energizing the relay circuit includes .aswitch in bridging relation to the main switch for initially energizingthe relay circuit.

8. A controlling device according to claim 5, wherein a branch circuitis connected in parallel relay circuit.

9. A time-delay electrical controlling device comprising a relay havinga winding and an armature, a relay circuit including said winding and apair of parallel switches in series with the winding for completing therelay circuit upon ing normally closed and the other being normallyopen, a time-controlled circuit arranged to be oi. the relay andincluding a normally closed switch and a timedelay operator arranged toeffect the opening of,v

the. normally closed parallel switch and of the switch ofthetime-controlled circuit and the closing of the normally open parallelswitch a predetermined time interval following energize- 10. Atime-delay electrical comprising a relay having a controlling devicewinding and an armature, a time-delay thermally actuated operatingdevice, a switch-operating element movable in one direction only uponheating of the thermally actuated operating device and arranged relativeto the armature to be moved in stationary contact toa first switch isclosed and opened by with the actuating cir-' the opposite directiononly by the armature upon ill winding and first connection, and adelayedeacan opening said switch means.

said.

action of said thermal delayed-action device.

14. In a switching device, a

thermal delayed-action device.

15. In a switching device, a normally open supply circuit, a relaycircuit including a relay operative when energized to close said supplycircuit and a thermal delayed-action device adapted to open the relaycircuit a predetermined time interval after energization of said relaycircuit, means for initially energizing said relay circuit, a poweroutput circuit connected to the supply circuit and being energized uponsaidsupply cir-- cuit being closed, and a. control circuit connected 7to the supply circuit in parallel with the output a circuit includingcircuit and adapted when energized to maintain the relay energizedfollowing opening of the relay circuit.

HENRY SCI-HROKAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,199,588 Mark Sept. 26, 1916Number Number

